Media

Solent TV Report

Local Internet station Solent TV produced this report of the festival.

Tribe of Trilobites- Record Success at Portsmouth

Trilobite, a member of a group of extinct fossil arthropods easily recognised by their distinctive three-lobed, three-segmented form. Trilobites, exclusively marine animals, first appeared at the beginning of the Cambrian Period, about 542 million years ago, when they dominated the seas. Although they became less abundant in succeeding geologic periods, a few forms persisted into the Permian Period, which ended about 251 million years ago.

Trilobites had many lifestyles; some moved over the sea bed as predators, scavengers, or filter feeders, and some swam, feeding on plankton.

The kite is designed by Ma Qing Hua although what possessed him to look at a fossil and think “That would make a good kite!” - we are yet to learn.

The prominent, three cell design is very efficient and variations are beginning to appear in many other kites.

So what bought this record attempt to Portsmouth?

…last year a flyer from New Zealand, ex-pat, Jim Nichols, and his friend Carl Gillard flew their combined collection and produced a video to claim a world record of nine Trilobites all flown at the same time.

This was shortly followed by a claim from some American flyers that they had managed to fly ten of the kites although no video evidence was forthcoming - nor photos showing all ten airborne.

Not to let the Americans get away with this we decided to try for another Portsmouth record and invited flyers from all over, including Quintin Bekker and Evert Van Blanken from Holland bringing with them enough kites to beat the record on their own.

We successfully beat the record with a total of 21 of these kites being flown at the same time in the same arena.

Well done to all of those who heled in this and took part. Particular thanks to Alan Pothecary who organbised the fliers and led the attempt.